Wire tying baler



Oct. 18, 1949. P. KANE 2,

WIRE TYING BALER Filed April 17, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 18, 1949. P.KANE WIRE TYING BALER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 17, 1944 I It.

Patented Oct. 18, 1949 Paul Kane, cu ulus-emu International HarvesterCompany, a corporation of New Jersey Application April 11-, 1944 SerialN0. 531,863

This invention relates to a baler. More speciflcally, it relates to awire-feeding mechanism associated with a tie-forming device for a baler.

The trend in agricultural implements has been to perform crop-gatheringand treating operations in as few steps as possible and directly in thefield to avoid the necessity for transporting and rehandling of the cropmaterial. In the case of balers such as hay compressors, machines havebeen developed which pickup the hay or other material directly from'thewindrow in the field and carry on the baling operation during travel- 8of the machine across the field. One problem still remaining with thistype of baler is the necessity of manually feeding and tying the wiresor other ties used around the bales. To solve this problem and completethe mechanization of the baling process, both tie-assist and completelyautomatic tying balers have been developed which feed the wire or othertying strand around the bale, eliminating all or a large part of themanual labor required for tying bales. The Pearson Patent 1,321,548illustrates a baling press in which an associating arcuate needle isutilized to bring the tying wire into position around, the end or thebale.

Various features of a side feed pick-up baler utilizing wire-carryingneedles operable from the bottom of the bale chamber to reed the wirefor theties to a loop-forming mechanism above the bale chamber aredisclaimed and claimed in copending application Serial No. 466,461, nledNovember 21, 1942, which issued on August 10, 1948, as Patent No.2,446,878. The present inven-= tion has to do with an improvement in atie-assist baler as shown in said application, although theinvention'may be'utilized on any baler having a positively driven strandor wire-carrying mech- The principal object of the present invention isto provide a releasable mechanism in a power train to interrupt ordiscontinue the transmissicn of power to a needle-carrying strand ofhigh tensile strength when the strand becomes caught or encounters aresistance which might cause damage to the mechanism or break thestrand.

A more specific object is to provide a release mechanism forwire-carrying means for balers in which the mechanism is automaticallyreengageable during each cycle of operation of the operating mechanism.The above objects and others which will be apparent from the detaileddescription to follow are attained in a mechanism such as illustrated inthe drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing a portion of a bale chamber withits associated mechanism and a wire-carrying needle with its operatingmechanism;

Figure 2 is a bottom'view partl in horizontal 2 section, showing thecertain elements of the latch mechanism;

Figure 8 shows a portionof the needle operating mechanism of Figure 1 inreleased position; 1

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section through the bale chamber toillustrate the wirecarrying operation of the needle;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of a portion of the latch elements shown inFigures 1 and 3; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail partly in section, showing awire-carrying means and a possible source of kinking of the wire. Y

The drawings show only such parts of a baler as are necessary toillustrate the invention. Balers of the hay press type are very wellknown in the art. These presses usually incorporate a feeding mechanismto feed the hay into the baling chamber, a plunger mechanism to pressthe hay, and a block setting device. The sides of the bale chamber ofthe conventional type are usually open for the insertion of wires whichare usually manually tied. As above noted, the release mechanism of thisinvention is particularly adapted to the construction shown in Patent2,446,878, which shows the complete baler mechanism including thefeeding means and the loop- -forming means on the tying mechanism.

A bale chamber in, formed by upper angle bar frame members H and lowerangle bar frame members I2, may be a .part of any baler constructionusing an type of feeding and compressing mechanism. As the balerillustrated is adapted to be utilized as a mobile unit, the framestructure of the baling chamber is supported on transverse angle bars 3,a bracket it, and an axle l5 which carries pneumatic tired wheels, oneof which, it, is shown. 7

As best shown in Figure 4, a compressing plunger ll advances into thebaling chamber to compress the material therein, which in thisconstruction is delivered through a side feed opening l8. In a side feedbaler, the upper and lower portions of the bale chamber are free, whichis a decided advantage in the use of an automatic or semi-automatictying mechanism.

A portion of a feeding mechanism is is shown diagrammatically in Figure1, it being understood that any suitable feed device may be utilized. Apower input shaft 20 supported on a pedestal 2| mounted on the baling'chamber frame supplies power to a tie-forming mechanism 22 alsoillustrated somewhat diagrammatically. Said mechanism is completelydisclosed and covered by claims in the'patent referred to, which showscomplete details of a baler of this type. The tieforming mechanismincludes a member 23 having a camslot 24, said member being rotated whenthe baler is in operation by a driving shaft 25. Said shaft, along withother parts or the mecha- 4 whereby the lever 21 is oscillated from theposition shown in Figure 1 to a position substantially 45 thereto.

The lever 21 may be made up entirely, or its lower end only, of twoadjacent flat bar members 30, as best shown in Figures 2 and 5. Saidmem- I bers are spaced apart at their lower ends to receive a roller 3!which is rotatably mounted on a pin 32 extending through openings in thespaced ends of the members 30.

A pair of links- 33 is pivoted on a pin 34 to the members 80 at a pointspaced a substantial distance upwardly from the roller 3|. Said linksdiverge outwardly at their lower ends to'provide a clearance space forpivotal connection with bifurcated ends 35 of a link 36. The ends 35 arespaced apart, as shown in Figure 2, to provide for the pivotal mountingof a latch member 81. Said latch member is pivoted on a transverse pin88 and is provided with an upwardly extending arm 39 and a forwardlyextending arm 40. The upwardly extending arm is provided with an openingthrough which a tie bolt 4| extends. Said bolt also extends through anopening in an upstanding bracket member 42 secured to the link 36between the bifurcated ends. A compression spring '43 surrounds saidbolt being held in place against the bracket 42 by an adjustable nut 44.

The forwardly projecting arm 40 of the latch member is provided with asubstantial semicylindrical notch 45 of substantially the same radius asthe roller 3| and beingin a position to be engageable with said roller.

The link 36 is pivotally connected by a pin 46' with a lever arm 41intermediate its ends.

The upp r end of the lever arm is pivotally connected to the balechamber by means of a stub shaft 48 carried by a bracket 49.

In the showing only one lever arm 41 has been illustrated, and only oneneedle for carrying the tie-forming strand is feasible. It will beunderstood that two or more needles may be utilized, preferably two.

The lever arm 41 is rigidly connected at its lower end to an arcuateneedle 50. Said needle is curved with its center about the stub shaft48, whereby all portions follow the same path during insertion into thebale chamber, the full extent of which is illustrated in Figure 4 infull lines and in Figure 1 in dotted lines. The upper end of the needle50 carries apair of sheaves SI and 52 which are adapted to engage andcarry a wire or strand of other material upwardly into the bale chamberat the completion of the compression of suflicient material for a bale.A hook 53 having an engaging prong 54 at its lower end is illustrated ina position to engage the strand used for forming bale tim when theneedle is in its uppermost position, as illustrated in Figure 4. Themechanism for forming a loop on the wire, severing the wire and holdingthe loose end for formation of a tie for the next bale to be formed, isillustrated in the application referred to. Other mechanism of thetie-assist or completely automatic tying type may be used, it being thefeature of this invention to provide a mechanism for releasing positivepulling force on the tying strand.

InFigureBandin dottedlinesinFigurc 1, a wire-holding receptacle 55 isillustrated, said receptacle being connected by a tube 58 through whichthe tying strand i delivered to the needle and associated mechanism.Figure 1 further illustrates a continuation 51 of the ,condult 56 whichleads to a spoolv or sheave '68 from which the wire engages the sheave-5| on the needle. The wire-carrying receptacle 55 shows a coil of wire58 from which wire is fed over a doughnutshaped member 60, which has asmooth surface in order to feed the wire to the tubular conduit 66 withthe least possibility of forming a knot or kink. In spite, however, ofthe most careful handling of the wire and the best design of feedingmeans, kinks occasionally occur inthe wire such as illustrated in Figure6. A knot .01- obstruction is then formed which binds the wire againstpassage through the conduit. When a resistance to wire of this type isencountered, the next upward movement of travel of the needle, whichmoves into thevbaling chamber from the lower side thereof in an upwarddirection, engages the wire with the result that either the wire mustbreak or the needle mechanism must bend or break. To overcome thisdanger and damage to the mechanism, in addition to the problem ofrethreading the machine brought about by breakage of the wire, the latchmechanism as above described has been provided as the essential featureof this invention. By selecting the proper size spring 43 and byadjusting the compression thereon, the exact ten sion in the wire can bedetermined which will trip the latch mechanism and release the link 36,as shown in Figure 3, thereby stopping the supply of power for actuatingthe needle and its rockable lever arm 41. As the cam member 23 continuesits cycle of operation, the lever 21 is moved back into the positionshown in Figure 1, with the roller 3| riding up' the cammed end of thearm 40 of the latch member again engaging the latch member with theroller. As the cycle of operation continues, forces are again applied tothe needle to lift the wire into the position shown in Figure 4. If theobstruction still remains in the path of the wire, the unlatching willagain occur and will'continue until the wire is free to move from theholder. If it is necessary to manually remove the kink or obstructionfrom the wire, ,the operator may do so, in many instances, withoutstopping the baler mechanism. In any'event, the wire will not be brokenand rethreading will'not be required, it only being necessary to locateand remove whatever may be interfering with the paying out of the wire.Moreover. in any event, it will not be necessary to reset theneedle-actuating mechanism as it automatically engages and sets itselfon each cycle of operation of the power-transmitting mechanism.

It is to be understood that applicant has shown and described only apreferred embodiment of his improved release mechanism for a baler wireaof the appended claims.

on the end of said arm in a position to be moved into and through thebale chamber by oscillation of the arm, means for supplying wire fromsaid coil to said needle, driving mechanism for said needle including alever mounted for oscillation on the frame structure of the balingchamber, a swingable link pivoted to said lever spaced from the lowerend thereof, a member pivotally connected-to said link at one end andpivotally secured to the lever arm at the other end for oscillating saidlever arm, and a springloaded latch member carried by said member, saidlatch member being releasably engageable with a portion of the leverwhereby when a predetermined tension is reached on the wire due tokinking or other abnormal resistance, the latch will release therebypreventing breaking of the wire and damage to the mechanism.

2. In a baler having a bale chamber and reciprocating means forcompressing hay in said chamber, a bale tie-forming means includingmeans for holding a coil of wire, a lever arm mounted on the balingchamber for oscillatory motion, an arcuate wire-carrying needle mountedon the end of said arm in a position to be moved into and through thebale chamber by oscillation of the arm, means for supplying wire fromsaid coil to said needle, and driving mechanism for said needleincluding a lever mounted for oscillation on the bale chamber, a rollercarried by said lever at the lower end thereof, a pair of swingablelinks pivoted to said lever spaced from the lower end thereof, abifurcated member Divotally connected to said links at one end andpivotally secured to the lever arm at the other end for oscillating saidarm, and a spring-loaded latch member pivotally mounted between thebifurcated ends of said member, said latch member having a notch thereinreleasably engageable with said roller whereby when a predeterminedtension is reached on the wire due to kinking or other abnormalresistance, the latch will release thereby preventing breaking of thewire and damage to the mechanism.

3. In a baler having a bale chamber with an associated frame structureand reciprocating means for compressing hay in said chamber, a

bale tie-forming means including means for holding a coil of wire, alever arm mounted on the baling chamber for oscillatory motion, an iarcuate wire-carrying needle mounted on the end of said arm in aposition to be moved into and through the bale chamber by oscillation ofthe arm, means for supplying wire from said coil to said needle, anddriving mechanism for said needle including a power input lever mountedfor oscillation on the frame structure of the baling chamber, a rollercarried by said leverat the lower end thereof, a pair of swingable linkspivoted to said lever spaced from the lower end thereof, a bifurcatedmember pivotally connected to said links at one end and pivotallysecured to the lever arm at the other end for oscillating said leverarm, and a spring-loaded latch member pivotally mounted between thebifurcated ends of said member, said latch member having a notch thereinreleasably engageable with said roller whereby when apredetermined--tension is reached on the wire due to kinking or otherabnormal resistance, the latch 'will release thereby preventing breakingof the wire, said links providing for continuous movement of the powerinput lever and for automatic re-engagement of the latch means on eachcycle of operation.

4. In a baling mechanism having a bale chamber with an associated framestructure and reciprocating means for compressing hay in said chamber, abale tie-forming means including means for holding a supply oftie-strand, a lever arm mounted on the bale chamber for oscillatorymotion, an arcuate tie-strand carrying needle mounted on the end of saidarm in a position to be moved into and through the bale chamber byoscillation of the arm, means for delivering tie-strand from said supplyto said needle, driving mechanism for said needle including a levermounted for oscillation on the frame structure associated with the balechamber, a swingable link pivoted to said lever, a member pivotallyconnected to said link at one end and pivotally secured to the lever armat the other end for oscillating said lever arm, and a spring-loadedlatch member carried by said member, said latch member being releasablyengageable with a portion of the lever whereby when a predeterminedtension is reached on the tie-strand, the latch will release therebypreventing breaking of the tie-strand and damage to the mechanism.

5. In a baler having a bale chamber with an associated frame structureand reciprocating means for compressing hay in said chamber, a baletie-forming means including means for holding a supply of tie-strand, alever arm mounted on the bale chamber for oscillatory motion, an arcuatetie-strand carrying needle mounted on the end of said arm in a positionto be moved into and through the bale chamber by oscillation of the arm,means for delivering tie-strand from said supply to said needle,

and driving mechanism for said needle including a power input levermounted for oscillationon the frame structure associated with the balechamber, a roller carried by said lever at the lower end thereof, a pairof swingable links pivoted to said lever spaced from the lower endthereof, a bifurcated member pivotally connected to said links at oneend and pivotally secured to the lever arm at the other end foroscillating said lever arm, and a spring-loaded latch member pivotallymounted between the bifurcated ends of said chamber, said latch memberhaving a notch therein releasably engageable with said roller wherebywhen a predetermined tension is reached on the tie-strand, the latchwill release thereby preventing breaking of the tie-strand, said linksproviding for continuous movement of the power input lever and forautomatic reengagement of the latch means on each cycle of operation.

PAUL KANE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,075,376 Pearson et a1. Oct. 14,1913 1,321,548 Pearson Nov. 11, 1919 1,775,810 Clark Sept. 16, 19302,361,742 Bunn Oct. 31, 1944 2,446,878 Kaupke et a]. Aug. 10, 1948

